Day of Silence

Today there may have been a funny type of silence where much noise is often heard. Why?? Well, today was a day that many students take a vow of silence. Sometimes words are not needed, silence can be a very powerful tool. The Day of silence is a student led action that helps raise awareness about the silencing effect of anti-LGBT bullying, harassment and discrimination. 

Thousands of schools will take place in this event Students from middle school to college will take a vow of silence. The goal is to encourage schools and classmates to address the problem of harassing behavior that goes unmentioned. 

A recent Harris Interactive study on bullying showed that students said two of the top three reasons students are harassed in school are actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender expression. Nearly 9 out of 10 students associated with LGBT experience harassment at school. 

Hundreds of thousands of students of all beliefs, backgrounds and sexual orientations can and will participate in the Day of Silence. They are fighting back for those students who are called names every day at school. This activity is sponsored by GLSEN a leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students. The group was established in 1990 and envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity or how they express their self. You can find more on GLSEN at www.glsen.org

My connection to this movement is not as close as being part of it but watching as the world changes. It was not always acceptable to let others know that your sexual orientation is not what was expected. Todays society has helped to change that. Now more are coming out and living a life that is common to ours but a bit different within their own acceptable guidelines. I can proudly say that I have a child-hood friend who is now a proud man very useful in his community and has a husband who is also well established and does great work. 

Would you not stand up for a friend who needed help?? Are you not the same individual that takes care of the stranger that others yell at?? This is what they are doing to those that choose an alternative lifestyle. What do you think?? What will you do